New Apple TV -- Anyone planning on it?

To the guys who've heard differences between streaming and stored music with the 160gb Apple TV, I've heard it too. I don't think it has to do with router distance, type, etc. My is the most current Linksys (N?) and in the same room as my Apple TV. Its not a huge night and day difference (everyone's opinion of quantity are different), but there's a definite difference.

Banyon100 -

Are you comparing music stored on the hard drive or streamed to the old one vs new one?

Not to stray from the original topic, but I think it relates...

Has anyone tried a Monarchy DIP between the Apple TV and DAC? Old or new Apple TV? Thoughts?

You need a TV to do all the initial set up and maintanence stuff like checking if you have the latest updates.

The Touch/iPhone remote is great for selecting music. I haven't tried it, but I think you can add to an "on the go" playlist from it.

Haven't heard of another remote app.

One of my main complaints is the whole standby issue. Appearently,standby only turns off the video outputsand nothing else. For some reason unbeknownced to me, mine keeps coming out of standby mode. After I put it in standby, it'll be back into regular mode within a few hours.

I still like it way too much to care about the very minor hang ups.

Mateored -

I have an HDMI connected to my TV and use the optical out to my DAC (2 channel, not an AVR). There's a Dolby Digital output selection under one of the settings, and I have it set to off. I'm assuming having it set to on would be some sort of surround format? At off I get stereo digital output.

Sorry of that sounds confusing.

Interesting, Edavis. I've tried WAV and Apple Lossless on several CDs and didn't hear a difference on my ATV gen 1. Not doubting what you're hearing, just stating what I've heard (or haven't heard) on my system.

I think WAV is 60% larger than Apple Lossless. Don't hold me to that exact number.

Edavis-

Thanks for not taking my findings as an attack. I've seen too many people get worked up over stuff like that. All we can do is report our own findings. Speaking of which...

I re-ripped several tracks as WAV and Apple Lossless, and 320 Kbps mp3 just to keep things interesting. mp3 was flat, undynamic, and congested, as expected.

I couldn't hear any difference between WAV and Apple Lossless. My system consists of a Bryston B60 integrated, Audio Physic Yara Evolution bookshelves, Apple TV gen 1, and 2 DACs - Theta Cobalt and the new Rega DAC. None of this stuff is the last word in anything, but it's very revealing and honest. The Theta DAC is very detailed and is great at imaging and soundstaging vs the Rega DAC. The Rega DAC beats it in pretty much every other way though. I'm 34 with what I'm told is pretty good hearing.

I'm not saying if I don't hear a difference, no one does. I hate it when people have that mentality. Just reporting my recent re-evaluation and results.

Couldn't agree more, Edavis. I have the previous gen ATV and use my iPhone to control it. Ripping and synching my CDs wasn't fun, but I'm so glad I took the time to do so. My collection is about half of yours, so I still have a ways to go. I bought the previous ATV so I wouldn't have to stream my music/need the computer on to access my library. I won't go back to a CDP again, that's for sure.

Can't figure out why poeple are so reluctant to go this route. Just because you rip everything doesn't mean you have to get rid of your CDs. I keep them as a back up, and because I want to have the liner stuff around. I keep them in an easily accesable box in the basement if the mood should strike me.

I'd love to get an iPad, but I can't justify the price. If I didn't have the iPhone, it would be easier to though.

Jeff -

I asked before, but you may have lost it in the thread -

Are you comparing streamed music in the gen 1 vs gen 2, or did you have the music stored on the gen 1's internal hard drive? I've noticed that music sounds a bit better stored vs streamed on my gen 1. Haven't bought the gen 2, only heard it in the Apple store, which isn't really hearing it at all.

Can you elaborate on the differences between the two?

Great DAC, btw. I'm a huge fan of the Naim stuff. Can't figure out why its hit or miss with the Naim forum guys.